JMBF Slams Brutal Police Crackdown on Dhaka Teachers’ Protest
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and issued a strong condemnation of the police violence against primary school teachers who were peacefully demonstrating in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on 8 November. The teachers were demanding the implementation of a three-point charter of demands.
In an official statement, JMBF described the incident as “brutal, unjustified, and inhumane,” emphasizing that the crackdown represents a clear violation of fundamental constitutional rights — including freedom of assembly, expression, and peaceful protest — and breaches international human rights standards, particularly Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Details of the Incident
According to media reports and JMBF’s independent sources, police forces launched a sudden and violent attack on the protesting teachers around 3:30 PM on Saturday, 8 November, while they were gathered peacefully at Shahbagh.
At least 110 people — including teachers, pedestrians, and rickshaw-pullers — were reportedly injured and received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Among the confirmed injured are: Rakibul Islam (40), Sadik (40), Tawfiq (30), Hamidur (32), Mojibur Rahman (32), Shahidul Islam (48), Shafiqul Islam (49), Mosharaf Hossain (50), Khairun Nahar (35), and Tamanna Akter (35).
Eyewitnesses and injured teachers said they had been peacefully protesting since morning when police suddenly deployed water cannons, sound grenades, tear gas, and batons against them without provocation.
Although the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) claimed protesters had thrown stones at officers, multiple eyewitnesses, video footage, and independent reports contradict the official version. JMBF called the police explanation “unacceptable and inconsistent with the facts.”
JMBF’s Reactions
Robert Simon, Chief Adviser of JMBF and a noted French human rights activist, condemned the incident:
“The barbaric police attack on peaceful teachers’ protests is completely unacceptable in any democratic society. Using state force to suppress freedom of expression is a grave human rights violation. JMBF will actively pursue a full, independent investigation and international accountability for the perpetrators.”
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF and a prominent human rights lawyer, added:
“The use of state force against peaceful teachers highlights a serious crisis of governmental accountability. Such violence undermines democracy, justice, and human rights. JMBF will continue all legal, advocacy, and diplomatic measures — nationally and internationally — to ensure justice and accountability.”
JMBF’s Key Demands
- An independent, impartial, and internationally supervised investigation into the police attack on peaceful teachers.
- Immediate disciplinary action against the responsible police officers and administrative officials.
- Adequate medical care and financial compensation for all injured teachers and civilians.
- Implementation of training and strict guidelines to prevent future police violence against peaceful assemblies.
- Full adherence to Bangladesh’s Constitution and international human rights obligations.
JMBF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to stand against state violence, defend democratic and human rights, and pursue all legal and diplomatic avenues to uphold truth, justice, and accountability.
